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Police Reforms : Tanzania

In Tanzania, CHRI works with local organisations to advocate for improved policing and to educate the public and police on policing and human rights related matters. Currently, Tanzania is in the process of reviewing the national Constitution. CHRI hopes that, similar to the Kenyan process, that the police will also be reformed as part of the process of Constitutional reform. The legislation governing the police in Tanzania could be amended to improve the accountability of the police, to reduce the risk of unnecessary use of force by the police and to increase the community involvement in policing.

Constitutional and police reform

In response to the review process, CHRI prepared 2012 paper on Constitutional and security sector reform in Tanzania, drawing on our involvement in the constitutional reform process in Kenya. This paper will provides useful recommendations for civil society groups in Tanzania, who are advocating for reform to security and justice sector.

In response to the involvement of the police in political protests, CHRI prepared a paper detailing the law regarding policing of public assemblies in Tanzania titled ‘Policing of Public Assemblies in Tanzania: Analysis of the Legal Framework’. This paper explains the legal framework, how the laws would be interpreted by the Courts, and then provides a summary of how the police must act to ensure Tanzanian’s right to assembly is protected, whilst maintaining public order and safety.

CHRI have also published opinion pieces about policing of public assemblies in Pambazuka and the Africa Review.

Working in collaboration with partners

In 2013 CHRI brought together organisations to form Haki na Usalama, a criminal justice coalition in Tanzania, to replicate the successful Usalama Reforms Forum in Kenya. The actors include Legal and Human Rights Centre, Tanganyika Law Society, National Organisation for Legal Assistance, Lawyers Environmental Action Team and CHRI. The coalition prepared a submission to the Constitutional Review Commission [hyperlink] outlining how new Constitution can spearhead criminal justice reform.